Combrinck saves the day for Lions

Those poor wobbly Wallabies

It's a fight for the Wallabies to prove their worth when they face off against Argentina this weekend.

The Wallabies will attempt to end a four-game losing streak when they play Argentina in Perth. They have won only one of the past six Tests.

''Last Saturday [losing to South Africa 38-12] was an absolute debacle,'' Farr-Jones said. ''It's a bit like our cricket team. We can play well for two-thirds of the game but in the one-third we play badly, it leaves us in a huge hole. For rugby to make money and be profitable right across the game you need the Wallabies to play well.

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''That's the biggest disaster, that's the biggest risk. If these guys keep playing like this, I'd give them a 50 per cent pay cut, put them on incentive contracts.''

New coach Ewen McKenzie made the biggest call of his brief tenure when he dropped Genia to the bench for the clash against the Pumas. The Wallabies forwards were dominated by South Africa, hampering Genia's ability to have a major impact on the game.

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Many regard Genia as one of the world's best No.9s. But three-Test rookie Nic White will replace him in the starting side to try to spark the team into action.

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''It's going to be a wake-up call [for Genia]. At the end of the day the scrum-half role is multifaceted,'' Farr-Jones said. ''Your No.1 priority is getting that ball as quickly as you can into the No.10's hands to provide time and space. Will hasn't been doing that well.

''If he's not admitting that, he's not going forward. We all lose confidence, Will has lost confidence. His lateral running has been very bad, but you can snap out of it. I've been through periods of that. It's about getting your confidence back and getting your judgment back. Will will get his A-game back. I don't think dropping him is about booting him up the bum; it's more about, 'We've got to win the next game'.''

Brumbies halfback White learnt harsh lessons in the Super Rugby grand final last month. He made errors under pressure as the Brumbies fell short of winning the title against the Chiefs, but Brumbies coach Jake White said the mistakes he made would prepare him for the Test arena.

With 20 minutes left in the Super Rugby final and the Brumbies leading the Chiefs, White's failed attempt to kick the ball out from a penalty was a significant turning point. Instead of relieving pressure, the Brumbies were forced to defend and the Chiefs stole momentum and the championship trophy.

''That's what makes you a better player,'' Jake White said. ''You have to put that in your memory bank. It's hard to stomach because you think about 'what if'.

''But I sat with him on the plane [after the final] and I said you have to make those mistakes. It's not a negative … he has the mental toughness that will make him better. He's the best kicker out of hand in Australia. If I asked any guy in Australia to kick for touch, I'd ask Nic White.

''A lot of people tell [Nic White] he'll make the team because he's considered to be one of the top three halfbacks in Australia. But he wants to be the No.1 halfback. That's why I have no doubt he will go well. It's not about Genia being dropped. I've got no doubt he'll want to show people that.''